Interviews, vintage footage and narration are used to explain the thrill and risk of aerial pioneering
The years between the world wars is called "The Golden Age of Flight" and rightfully so. Airplanes had begun to show their worth as a war weapon in World War I and people were beginning to understand the deadly potential of the warplane. However, those years were the time when the commercial potential of the plane began to be exploited.
The first commercial use of the plane was as an entertainment vehicle; barnstorming pilots went from town to town putting on air shows that dazzled the audiences. At the time, the pilots were true daredevils, risking their lives doing what they loved. The next advancement in commercial advancement was in the delivery of mail. As the dramatic rise of Federal Express a half-century later once again demonstrated, there are many people and organizations that will pay significant premiums to get their material delivered a day or two earlier.
The final major commercial exploitation was in passenger service. At first, it was crude with no climate control in the cabin; the passengers were at the mercy of the weather. Later, the giant flying boats were developed, with a great deal of comfort, including quality meals and sleeping cabins.
This tape takes you through those wondrous times when people were challenging the limits of technology and endurance. Some of the pioneers are interviewed and they talk about their exploits, the planes they flew and how much they enjoyed what they did. Even some of the early flight attendants describe their experiences and the sexism they encountered from the flight crews.
Many people flew in the early planes and more than a few died in the cockpits. Yet, they were true pioneers, it was their meeting of the challenges of developing a new technology that led to what is now routine and often boring airline travel. This tape captures those challenges and the dynamic spirit of the people that challenged the unknown.